First time shipping? It’s important to understand the overall shipping process and what to expect. To get you started, this section outlines some of the key shipping topics that you need to know about before booking a shipment. Use the tabs above to access more detailed information about each topic.

Air Waybills
Every shipment requires an “air waybill” or AWB. This is the contract between the shipper and the carrier that states the terms and conditions of transportation. It is essential for your AWB to be complete and accurate.

Security
All shipments must be screened for security purposes. This means that they must be packaged appropriately to allow for screening. Security screening requirements may vary by country.

Customs
If you are shipping out of country, your shipment will need to clear customs in the destination country. It is your responsibility to provide any support documentation with your shipment that will be needed by customs in the destination country.

Shipping to France
If you are shipping to or from France, Grenelle Law requires you to calculate and report CO2 emissions related to your shipment.

Shipping Containers
You will need to ensure that your cargo is packed for easy transport and handling, using approved shipping containers or “unit load devices.” Acceptable shipping containers vary depending on your shipping needs and the aircraft. View our Fleet and ULDs

Your Responsibility

As a shipper, you have a responsibility to ensure that your shipment is “ready for carriage.” This means that your shipment is in compliance and that you’ve met all of the requirements outlined on the Shipping Requirements page for your shipping solution.

An air waybill is a contract between Air Canada Cargo and you that details the terms for transporting your shipment. The Air Waybill must be completed in accordance with the applicable IATA rules and procedures.

You can also complete your Air Waybill electronically with e-Air Waybill.

As of October 17, 2016, all shipments originating from Canada must be deemed secure according to the guidelines set by Transport Canada and the Transport Security Administration (TSA).

For new or general shippers, this means that you must package or prepare your shipment in a way that allows for adequate screening of the contents for security purposes. If your shipment is not packaged in a way that can be screened to a satisfactory standard, it may be broken down into smaller pieces in order to obtain a clear image.

Security Screening Fees

Security Screening Requirements

October 17 marks the start of Transport Canada's changes to the Air Cargo Security Program.

This is an important change that concerns all of us involved in air freight.
WORKING TOGETHER

Over the past several months, we at Air Canada Cargo have been working to ensure we are fully prepared to ensure the transition to this new program is smooth. We've encouraged our customers and partners to apply in time to the new program.
We're also investing. We will increase the number of onsite screening agents at our key Canadian stations to accommodate additional volume of screenings and invest in additional equipment.
BEING PREPARED

If your business has already applied to Transport Canada's Transport Canada's Air Cargo Security Program, make sure you are prepared when your file comes up for review by Transport Canada to avoid delays.
If you have not yet applied to Transport Canada's Air Cargo Security Program, Transport Canada will continue to process all application received beyond October 17. As the approval process can take up to 6 months, it is important for your business to submit as soon as possible.
TIPS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION
As partners in the secure chain, it is important that we all work together. Gere are a few things you can do to help make this transition smooth:

As October 17 approaches, make sure everyone in your organization is aware of the changes.

Talk to your drivers. Let them know this change is coming.

Ensure your shipments are tendered with all the proper paperwork filled out.

Keep peak periods in mind, and when possible tender ahead of times that are likely to be busy.

For more information regarding Transport Canada's Air Cargo Security Program, please visit Transport Canada's website, or call their Air Cargo Security Support Centre at 1-866-375-7342.

Transport Canada requires that all shipments departing from Canada and destined to the United States, including shipper loaded units, be security screened, and must also have originated from a Known Consignor or an Account Consignor. Some exceptions apply.

The UK Department for Transport requires that all shipments transiting beyond LHR by air, including shipper loaded units, must be security screened at the piece level. For this reason, shipper loaded units cannot be accepted for transit beyond LHR by air.

Transport Canada requires that for flights departing from Canada to Israel, all shipments, including shipper loaded units, must be security screened, regardless of the security status of the shipper. Please be aware this may cause a delay. Effective October 17, 2016, security fees will apply regardless of shipper status.

When you ship internationally, your shipment will need to clear customs in the destination country. You will need to understand and comply with the customs requirements for that country. Our booking representatives will help you with this when you call to book a shipment. We also encourage you to research the customs requirements for your destination country to prepare for your shipment.

Attention freight forwarders and commercial shippers:

This section provides key regulatory updates as they apply to the handling of cargo.

Manual delivery of paper documentation to Air Canada Cargo for forwarding to Customs

Forwarders and shippers who opt to report directly will be permitted to do so, provided a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Air Canada Cargo exists, transferring all liability for accuracy and completeness of data to the forwarder/shipper. Should no HAWB exist in our system at time of goods acceptance, a manual charge fee will be assessed to the forwarder/shipper. In addition to transferring details to Air Canada Cargo, forwarders and shippers will be expected to provide the following documents at time of shipment acceptance:

Copy of the MAWB document,

In an additional envelope, a minimum of two copies of the detailed consolidation manifest, which shall include for each HAWB:

the ultimate shipper and consignee,

a complete detailed description of the goods being shipped and

number of pieces and weight.

For unitized shipments, a complete and accurate detailed consolidation manifest that includes:

every HAWB, and

the number of pieces and weight associated with each HAWB within each unit tendered.

In accordance with the Canada Border Services Agency's ACI regulations, Air Canada Cargo must ensure that the HAWB information sent electronically is timely, accurate and complete. This may require Air Canada Cargo to provide additional handling and electronic processing of shipments.

Air Canada Customs Sufferance Warehouse Codes

The Customs Sufferance Warehouse Codes assigned to Air Canada are reserved solely for individuals who have a requirement to obtain such a code. Air Canada reserves the right to monitor any and all activity to its Customs Sufferance Warehouse Codes.

Manual delivery of paper documentation to Air Canada Cargo for forwarding to Customs

Should no HAWB exist in our system at time of goods acceptance, a manual charge fee will be assessed to the forwarder/shipper.

In addition to transferring details to Air Canada Cargo, forwarders and shippers will be expected to provide the following documents at time of shipment acceptance:

Copy of the MAWB document,

In an additional envelope, a minimum of two copies of the detailed consolidation manifest, which shall include for each HAWB:

the ultimate shipper and consignee,

a complete detailed description of the goods being shipped, and

number of pieces and weight.

For unitized shipments, a complete and accurate detailed consolidation manifest that includes:

every HAWB, and

the number of pieces and weight associated with each HAWB within each unit tendered.

In accordance with U.S. Customs regulations, Air Canada Cargo must ensure the HAWB information sent electronically is timely, accurate and complete. This may require Air Canada Cargo to provide additional handling and electronic processing of shipments.

Air Canada Firms Warehouse Codes

The Warehouse Firms Codes assigned to Air Canada are reserved solely for individuals who have a requirement to obtain such a code. Air Canada reserves the right to monitor any and all activity to its Warehouse Firms Codes.

Indian Customs Message (IGM)

Electronic reporting of cargo information is required for all inbound flights to India and these requirements must be complied with in their entirety. Air carriers or freight forwarders are accountable for all shipments at both the master (MAWB) and house air waybill (HAWB) levels.

Complete disclosure of all shipments is required for all inbound flights. HAWB data is required at goods acceptance. Forwarders and all shippers have three options:

Electronic transfer of the FHL2 message information directly to Customs

Manual delivery of paper documentation to Air Canada Cargo for forwarding to Customs

Forwarders and shippers who opt to report directly will be permitted to do so, provided they forward to Air Canada Cargo a 16 Digit Number on the MAWB, assigned by Indian Customs, transferring all liability for accuracy and completeness of data to the forwarder/shipper.

Should no HAWB exist in our system at time of goods acceptance and/or no 16 Digit Number exist on the MAWB, a manual charge fee will be assessed to the forwarder/shipper.

In addition to transferring details to Air Canada Cargo, forwarders and shippers will be expected to provide the following documents at time of shipment acceptance:

Copy of the MAWB document,

In an additional envelope, a minimum of two copies of the detailed consolidation manifest, which shall include for each HAWB:

the ultimate shipper and consignee,

a complete detailed description of the goods being shipped, and

number of pieces and weight

For unitized shipments, a complete and accurate detailed consolidation manifest that includes:

every HAWB,

the number of pieces and weight associated with each HAWB within each unit tendered.

In accordance with IGM requirements by Indian Customs, Air Canada Cargo must ensure the HAWB information sent electronically is timely, accurate and complete. This may require Air Canada Cargo to provide additional handling and electronic processing of shipments.

Electronic reporting of cargo information is required for all inbound flights to Cuba and these requirements must be complied with in their entirety. Air carriers or freight forwarders are accountable for all shipments at both the master (MAWB) and house air waybill (HAWB) levels.

Complete disclosure of all shipments is required for all inbound flights.

HAWB data is required at goods acceptance. Forwarders and all shippers have two options:

Manual delivery of paper documentation to Air Canada Cargo for forwarding to Customs

Forwarders/shippers are not permitted to report directly.

Should no HAWB exist in our system at time of goods acceptance, a manual charge fee will be assessed to the forwarder/shipper. In addition to transferring details to Air Canada Cargo, forwarders and shippers will be expected to provide the following documents at time of shipment acceptance:

Copy of the MAWB document,

In an additional envelope, a minimum of two copies of the detailed consolidation manifest, which shall include for each HAWB:

the ultimate shipper and consignee,

a complete detailed description of the goods being shipped, and

number of pieces and weight

For unitized shipments, a complete and accurate detailed consolidation manifest that includes:

every HAWB,

the number of pieces and weight associated with each HAWB within each unit tendered.

In accordance with Cuba's ACI regulations, Air Canada Cargo must ensure the HAWB information sent electronically is timely, accurate and complete. This may require Air Canada Cargo to provide additional handling and electronic processing of shipments.

Prior to tendering and acceptance of freight, the following advance commercial information must be provided to Air Canada Cargo for forwarding to Chinese Customs in Shanghai (PVG) and Beijing (PEK). China's Official Customs Authority requires exact shippers and consignees information on all imported merchandise, both at the Master Airway Bill Level and House Air Waybill Level.

The following information is required for both the Shipper and the Consignee:

In accordance with China's ACI regulations, Air Canada Cargo must ensure the HAWB information sent electronically is timely, accurate and complete. This may require Air Canada Cargo to provide additional handling and electronic processing of shipments.

Please be also advised that direct transmission by the customer is not authorized by Chinese Customs.

France's Grenelle Law requires transport companies to inform the beneficiaries of their services of the CO2 emissions related to the transportation of their goods. It applies to all transport services that originate or terminate at a French airport.

In accordance with the Grenelle Law, Air Canada Cargo is providing CO2 emissions information for select flights originating at a French airport.

Flights shown are direct or include one stop with transit points in Montreal or Toronto; flights with multiple transit points are not shown.

Flights shown are one way.

Calculations are based on information from the online calculator of France's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), as directed by Grenelle Law guidance material; Air Canada Cargo assumes no liability for the accuracy of the information or methodology used to estimate CO2 emissions.

Estimates are presented in kg of CO2 per kg of cargo. For the CO2 emissions of a shipment, the weight of the shipment (in kg) must be multiplied with the corresponding factor shown in the table.

Estimates are for the air transport portion of the shipment from airport to airport and do not include any land transport.

For any questions on the application of the Grenelle Law with respect to Air Canada Cargo, please write to environment@aircanada.ca.

To meet performance expectations and current regulatory and security control requirements, Air Canada Cargo adheres to a rigorous goods acceptance process. All shipments must meet and follow all applicable IATA regulations.

Shipper's Responsibility

You have a responsibility to ensure that your shipment complies with all applicable rules and regulations and is acceptable for transport (packaged appropriately, properly identified and labeled, and accompanied by all required documentation).

Shipping Requirements

Shipments are only acceptable for transportation when the shipper, consignee or owner has complied with the rules and regulations of the tariffs and all laws, ordinances, and other governmental rules and regulations governing the transportation of the shipment.

The air waybill must be accurate and complete in all respects. It must include the weight, number of pieces, dimensions, nature of goods, all information required by Customs and known/unknown security status. The air waybill must also contain the conditions of contract. An e-Air Waybill is also acceptable (where authorized).

Note: Any adjustments made to an Air Waybill that could impact the expected billing amount, such as re-weighing, calculating or re-calculating the dimensional weight of your shipment, will be communicated to the shipper with a Notice of Correction. This Notice of Correction will be sent electronically to your attention.

Attention Freight Forwarders:

When applicable, complete House AWB information must be available for manual input or electronically transmitted to either Air Canada or directly to Customs.

All documents necessary for determining the nature of the goods, along with export, import or transit documents required by Customs or any governmental body, must be completed and/or checked and must accompany the air waybill.

Electronic submission of this information is also acceptable (where authorized) following IATA procedures and standards.

Shipments must be packed in a way that allows for security screening and to ensure that it can be carried safely with ordinary care in handling. In addition, the volume and weight of your shipment when tendered must match those in your booking.

For dangerous goods, valuables or articles of extraordinary value, follow the shipping requirements in the corresponding AC Solution.

All packages in the consignment must be marked with the consignee's name, street and city address, including ZIP/postal code (as on the Air Waybill) OR, have one or more packages marked with this information with an appropriate reference on all other packages in the consignment.

A completed cargo identification label or stencil must be attached to each package. Labels must be fully visible and all old labels and markings must be obliterated.

All shipments undergo security screening and must be prepared for carriage according to the security control instructions provided by the National Authority and any additional instructions provided by Air Canada Cargo.

Note: Any cargo that cannot be screened to a satisfactory standard may be broken down into smaller pieces in order to obtain a clear image. Breakdown and build-up fees may apply. See Security screening fees in Rates, Charges and Fees.

Air Canada Cargo Acceptance Requirements

Shipments are acceptable for transportation when:

The shipper, consignee or owner complies with the rules and regulations of the tariffs and all laws, ordinances, and other governmental rules and regulations governing transport of the shipment.

It is agreed that the goods shipped are accepted in apparent good order, are properly packaged, are in a condition for carriage that is in conformity with IATA regulations, and are subject to the conditions of the contract (the Air Waybill).

Shipments are delivered on time and have a confirmed booking from origin to destination.

Our goal it to provide you with a smooth, seamless shipping experience. This Shipper's Checklist will help you know what to expect and the things you can do at each step in the shipping process to help us make your experience even better.

Before You Book

For fast and easy booking, follow this checklist to make sure you've got what you need before you call to book your shipment.

Due to some aircraft types, weight, weather and regulatory restrictions, we may not be able to transport your shipment to all the destinations we serve. Your Air Canada Cargo agent will help you determine the best route based on your shipping needs. Routes & Network

Note that shipping rates can vary significantly depending on the solution, service level and options that you select. Your Air Canada Cargo agent will help you evaluate your shipping needs and total shipping costs. General information about Rates, Charges and Fees.